A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, New
York Institute of Technology, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master
of Science in Energy Management.
2013

Dignified housing space for everyone historically has been a major interest of
analysis, if not concern. Nowadays, despite government, scientific and civic efforts, a
large proportion of world inhabitants are still lacking basic living standards such as
having access to potable water or a power system. That is why one of the most
relevant challenges of humanity is how to give them an alternative answer according
to their primary needs.
From an architectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, quality of life is closely linked to the space
inhabited, they relate to each other. It goes beyond the physical structure; it is about
the emotional benefits of comfort, where the basic services must be taken for granted
plus the usage of lighting, ventilation, space proportion, colors, and materials; in
order to compensate the external circumstances that impact our lives on a daily basis.
For this specific proposal, a bottom line premise has been taken into
consideration, where welfare and money are not proportionally related to each other,
not necessarily; whereas creativity, common sense, and a behavioral approach, are
key tools that can lead to welfare.
The analysis of human behaviors, peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations, cultural and physical
contexts from a local perspective, in addition to a broad knowledge of up to date
technologies that can be develop in small scale, conducts an achievable answer to be
adopted and reproduce accordingly.

-1-

Around the globe, countless human behaviors are constantly exposed and the
most common activities for some may be completely unfamiliar to others.
Basic human survival necessities such as shelter, grooming, or reproduction
can widely differ from one culture to another. Understanding this is imperative when
designing a space for living - it goes beyond basic measurement rules or square feet
per person-.
For this particular exercise, two different sustainable housing dwellings are
designed, based on two family prototypes with different locations, weather
conditions, natural resources, and culture. Based on very same technical standards,
the architectural design of the shelters varies depending on their geographical
conditions and the local resources available to build the units.
Similar considerations are taken for the power system to be implemented (in
accordance with water-source distance/quantity/quality, sunlight radiance, wind flow
strength, and available disposal refuse method).
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thinking global, acting localâ&#x20AC;? proposal is an alternative answer, which takes
into consideration the existing physical and cultural conditions for the chosen
communities to work on, with the purpose of providing them a custom-made dwelling
shaped according to a specific environment, providing welfare pursuant to what
technology has to offer at the present moment.

-2-

C H A P T E R
C H O O S I N G

O N E

L O C A T I O N S

Since one of the main goals for this proposal is to benefit the people who need it
the most, to choose the communities some specific characteristics were taking into
consideration:


Low income or No income communities



Off grid location



Lacking one of the two: Access to potable water or no reliable power system
Having in mind the vast amount of choices that can derive from this simple

equation, two rural communities with particular restrictions were chose, the first one
in Mozambique-South Africa, the second one in Colombia-South America.
The specific communities to be work with are the community of Mungari-Manica
Province, Mozambique-Eastern Africa, and the Paeces Indigenous from Rural SilviaCauca Department, Colombia-South America.
Even though the huge progress of technology during these past four decades
around the world, many regions are still lacking -if not the resources- the appropriate
considerations from their local governments to fulfill, or at least provide them the
chance to access to their basic needs such as health care, education, shelter,
nourishment.
According to the World Bank, from 1970 to 2011, rural population has
decrease from 94% to 69% in Mozambique and from 45% to 25% in Colombia –
-3-

nearly 20 to 25% in both cases-, yet most of these rural communities survive without
assistance from their authorities.

Middle West Mozambique has subtropical climate with two seasons. “Wet
season” from October to March –not so much in Mungari-, and “Dry Season”
from April to September. Due its altitude and the distance from the coast, the
climate is mostly dry with an average temperature of 75°F.



One serious environmental issue to Mungari area is the drought in the
hinterlands and desertification, which has caused the migration of the population
to urban and coastal areas.



Although Mozambique has a rich natural resources provision such as coal,
titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, and graphite; Mungari area lacks
potable water supply.



It is part of their culture having women and children walking long distances
to fetch water for daily basis consumption; the used of water is only for cooking
purposes.



Due to lack of potable water –mainly-, Mungari community (According to
the World Health Organization –WHO-) has one of the highest percentages of
trachoma disease, an infection in the eyes that can lead to blindness and after
some years carrying it, to death.



This infection usually appears in areas with poor personal and family
hygiene. Many factors are link indirectly to the presence of trachoma including
lack of water, also absence of latrines or toilets, poverty in general, flies, close
- 14 -

proximity to cattle, crowding, for instance. However, the final common pathway
seems to be the presence of dirty faces in children that facilitates the frequent
exchange of infected ocular discharge from one child’s face to another.
A serious illness easy to prevent by using potable water to clean yourself



even with a small supply (less than a liter per person a day)
They do not have a reliable power source to provide electricity. The only



power system they use is burning wood for cooking.
They usually gather 3 to 4 families living in each village, mostly related to



each other, and they share and assign the duties to each member (women and
children house-related activities, men field activities –either agricultural or animal
related-).
Infrastructure is basic, primarily built with local resources (wood, straw, and



clay/mud), they construct their own houses and the spaces are usually communal.


Agriculture is their primary source of income. Historically, they developed great
knowledge harvesting corn, but also produce beans, yucca, peas and potatoes.
Source: official site of Silvia http://www.silvia-cauca.gov.co/index.shtml

Silvia territory is a mountain complex with great flora and fauna diversity.
Their location goes from 5,900 feet over sea level to 9,200 feet over sea level;
giving the zone a variety of climate zones (from 75 °F to 50 °F average).



They have an ancient knowledge on the corn production and rituals are part
of its harvest process. The agriculture aspect of the Paeces indigenous is for Selfconsumption characterized by growing small amounts of diverse products (corn,
potatoes, yucca, beans, and peas, among others).



The process they use to harvest is called “tumba y quema” or “rocería”,
which means they cut everything out after the harvesting season is over, and then
burn the material in a communal reunion. This “rocería” is a male activity practice
as a group meeting between neighbors called “minga”, referring to a gathering.



The area has also a vast forest territory right now in jeopardy, due to
indiscriminate felling of trees by some private big companies, leading to
deforestation and floods, with the loses of great variety of endemic fauna and
flora that come with it.



The biggest issue that keeps Paeces indigenous off grid is the guerrilla’s
occupancy of these territories. Violence has forced them to move out from their
own lands.

- 23 -



This forced moving is dealing to greater issues since they are migrating to
the cities, where their first option is being homeless because they do not
own/belong anything.



Men are the head of their households. They usually live two family groups in
one village, but they have independent life, meaning they have their own kitchen,
their own harvest land and separate budget.



They are very respectful about family hierarchy and only get married
between close village neighbors, never with white people or different indigenous
groups. They do not allow getting married between first cousins.



Depend on the wealth of the group, the house can be primarily on of three:


Rectangle small floor plan, two-sloped ceiling, one door, compressed

soil floor, and kitchen.


Same structure as the previous; bigger floor plan, four-sloped ceiling,

separate room for the kitchen.


“L” structure with independent doors for each space and kitchen.

- 24 -

C H A P T E R
E X P L O R I N G

T W O

T H E

I M P L E M E N T I N G

O P T I O N S
T H E

&

S Y S T E M

For both household models, there is one premise:
Through sustainable mechanisms, propose a dwelling with potable water supplied,
permanent power system for their specific needs, disposal method, and sewage
treatment.
Both cases have specific use of materials for the unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structure, and a
particular organization according to their standard daily activities.
This is why the proposed structure is only modified in order to improve
lighting and ventilation systems, but the main distribution is being kept since is
implemented based on their own practices and beliefs.
The research included the exploration of local sustainable practices developed
in the past or currently implemented in each country, which, regarding geographic
and climate conditions are adaptable to a new proposal.
Adapting to their cultural heritage to design a model is necessary, but teaching
new practices to improve their lives is also priority when proposing the new unit.
Mungariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; model holds 15 people, including three nuclear families each, 5
people per family group (2 adults and 3 children).
Paecesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; model holds 10 people, including two nuclear families each, 5 people
per family group (2 adults and 3 children).
- 25 -

M U N G A R I
S T R E N G T H S

V S

C H A L L E N G E S

Due to location and physical characteristics of Mungari, the strongest resource
to be developed is the sun irradiance. Altitude, average temperature and topography,
summarize and excellent source of power to work with.
As for the second strength, refers to the human force. Mungari people are
very organized and respectful of their hierarchy. This an excellent resource since part
of the deficiencies they are facing right now, have to do with lack of knowledge,
dealing to bad practices, which results in major issues.
On the other hand, the biggest challenge Mungari is facing is a reliable
potable water supply system. For the past decades, due to indiscriminate use of the
land, groundwater flows and green ecosystems have decreased, forcing people to
abandon their territories and move closer to big cities and coastal areas.
When basic welfare living standards seem to be in jeopardy, less important
but fundamental practices such as hygiene, waste disposal, and sewage treatment that
also become part of their life style, magnified the main necessities.
Keeping in mind that heath care coverage in Mungari is difficult to get not
only for the long distances but also for the precarious existing transportation system,
it is fundamental to provide them the tools to prevent some of their current
difficulties.

- 26 -

To vanish trachoma disease, create a sustainable-permanent water supply
system and to treat/dispose properly their residues/waste, is the challenge faced with
Mungari community.

The resource Silvia has aplenty is water. Cauca Department has 100%
coverage of water supply, and being Silvia located between one of Colombian
mountain corridors (Cordillera Central), it is not an exception. Pure water streams
surround Paeces territory.
Fertile soil is also one of the strengths of Silvia area. Flora & fauna are
diverse and profuse, and being part of a sub-tropical climate system, makes this area a
great potential land to harvest.
Paeces indigenous are also a very organized and well-structured community,
whit the plus that they help their close neighbors with harvesting and building
activities.
On the other hand, the biggest challenge Silvia town is facing right now has to
do with the guerrilla groups colonizing their lands. Eviction and homicide to the
Paeces indigenous has become a major issue during the past two decades.
Some indigenous are moving to the big cities as homeless, while the rest are
living completely off grid due to incapability from the government to vanish those
groups under the law.
Another major challenge Silvia is facing right now has to do with private
companies exploding forests without proper practices, which is destroying Indigenous
lands gradually.
- 29 -

Floods and erosion are increasing exponentially during the past five years,
and their lives are now in risk because of the new environmental conditions.
To bring a reliable power source and to create a sustainable system to treat
and dispose properly their residues is the challenge Silvia community is facing.

The most reliable way to have access to water for Mungari community is
by walking long distances (It can be between 2 and 8 miles each way) and
bringing some containers to fill with the limited resource.



Besides the distance, to get there does not guarantee them get it.
Sometimes -Due to groundwater droughts-, there is no enough provision for
everyone.



Water supply is uncertain and does not have any treatment for consumption,
which is the primary, if not only, usage for among Mungari people.



Without any purification treatment, water consumption is a health risk for
the community, but nonetheless the only option they currently have access to.



Water is an exotic gem around Mungari area, and maybe because of that or
from their cultural perspective, water is not wasted, it only does not exist.



To clean clothes or any other requirement beyond consumption, they use
sporadic water patches -after a rainy day for instance-, for those types of
necessities.



Building these communal water supplies is usually a self-construction
process/gathering, without technical knowledge or professional consultation.



Popular knowledge is the main tool for them to solve their own necessities,
which sometimes is also crucial when new technologies are about to be
implemented.



To concluded, they have water that needs to be storage and purified for
consumption
- 34 -

H y g i e n e
S e w a g e
P o w e r



T r e a t m e n t
S y s t e m

S u p p l y

Being water an exclusive drinkable resource, a standard demeanor such as
“taking a shower” or “cleaning the floor” or any other activity that is not related
with consumption and usually requires water, is non-existent for Mungari people.



Lack of hygiene is a major concern when consider, for instance, trachoma
disease and its high percentage of blind and death rates.



Historically and socially, Mungari community has suffered the vast
consequences of deprivation from a vital source. Lack of water has lead to
precarious living conditions among these people.



Human residues disposal barely exists. When it does, it is through an
artisanal latrine.



Being water supply a privilege for consumption, there is none sewage
system involved within the Mungari community.



The only source of power in a Mungari family has to do with cooking
purposes. Oven and stove are heated up with branches or dry wood collected by
the elder children every day. Access to electricity in Mozambique is 11.7%
according to the World Bank.
- 35 -



R e f u s e

D i s p o s a l

S o u r c e

o f

&

I n c o m e

Refuse disposal is also a major issue for these people, since there is not such
thing as a collector system in order to avoid inappropriate practices.



Irony enough is the fact that the water supply location is usually also the
communal garbage discard, with the obvious consequences of this kind of
contamination not only on the surface, but also to the groundwater streams, which
already is lacking potable attributes.



When Mungari people do not carry their refuse to the “communal discard”,
they burn it or buried around the village (Within their own boundaries), without
any technical process.



Mungari community is exclusively rural people who live from the profits of
agriculture and livestock production in a small scale.



Men are heads of their households and is their responsibility to harvest the
land (primarily peanuts and rice), and to grow their own animals (mainly goats,
pigs, chickens, and guinea fowls; depending on the wealth of the family)



The production is through artisanal practices, and the transference of this
knowledge is a family tradition that passes from one generation to the next.

- 36 -

M U N G A R I
A R C H I T E C T U R E

F l o o r


P l a n

D i s t r i b u t i o n

A prototype territory for a Mungari Village (Three nuclear families) can
vary from 10 Acres to 40 Acres tops.





A prototype Village consists on:


Communal space for the kitchen



Communal space to sleep



1 Latrine

The kitchen represents a central element for a Mungari family, not only
because women and children spend most part of the day in there (When they are
not getting water or branches to power the heat), but because is the gathering
space for the entire family after they all finish their duties after a workday.



The oven and stove are the main elements inside the kitchen, made primarily
with clay, usually located in the middle of the space.



The sleeping area usually consists of a single space, but sometimes inside
has divisions for each family. From outside is always only one space



The latrine room is nearby, but far enough to avoid odors to the other spaces.



Except the latrine, the plans for the communal spaces are usually circular.



Depends on the water source distance, several villages can be located nearby
(From 8 to 25 Villages can be supplied from a single water source)
- 37 -

S t r u c t u r e



The most common material for the main structure is hard wood, carefully
shaped to build the principal skeleton of the space.



The ceiling framework is also hard wood, covered with straw.



Depends on the wealth of the Village family, the coverage options for the
walls can be:


Single rounded wood layer to fill the entire circular frame.



Double rounded wood layer to fill completely the circular frame.



Double rounded wood layer and clay based paste to cover both sides of
the frame (Inside and outside).



In all cases, the floor is manually compacted soil.



The latrine room usually has the same material as the communal space,
depending on the family income. Either this latrine can be at the ground level with
a hole underground, or elevated 3 to 4 feet with a recipient underneath that can be
easily emptying.



None of the rooms has any technical response to ventilation, besides the fact
that materials are convenient to allow the airflows circulate through the space,
which is consequent with tropical weathers like this one.



As for the lighting, there is not even one consideration about this matter,
meaning that spaces are usually dark. This can be convenient for the sleeping
area, but definitely not for the kitchen.
- 38 -

Figure 24. “PlayPump” Unit being used by local children, pumping water through a group game
Source: http://www.waterforpeople.org/extras/playpumps/update-on-playpumps.html

“PlayPumps” is a program created by “Water for the People”, an American
non-profit organization that –in Africa- has brought water pump tools to communities
in Rwanda, Uganda and Malawi.

- 40 -

C H A P T E R
M U N G A R I

W a t e r

S u p p l y

F O U R

S U S T A I N A B L E

&

G e n e r a l

S Y S T E M S

R e f u s e

D i s p o s a l

After the analysis of water supply conditions for Mungari community, what is
left is the understanding that a communitarian water mechanism is the answer, along
with a refuse disposal project next to it, which is going to attend eight Villages
maximum, in order to guarantee a permanent and reliable service.
These services will provide Mungari people enough water for consumption
and grooming –currently nonexistent- and also will have a solution for the waste that
cannot be composted on the village.
Due to the particular circumstances regarding water in Mungari area, three
specific considerations were crucial:


Lack of reliable mechanism to pump water



Lack of water treatment before its consumption



Not enough water supply during drought

Exploring local and up to date sustainable responses to these needs, Mungari
New water supply and refuse disposal unit will have:


Construction of the first tank in Mozambique, to pump water from
underground sources to the surface.



Basic filter mechanism design built underground and layered with
small rocks and gravel to eliminate minerals from the water.
- 41 -



Storage mechanism to preserve water during droughts, simulating a
pool hole, with a basic waterproof system to ensure water will not leak
away from the “storage pool”.

To facilitate the carrying of the water and allow people to bring more to home
without any hassle, the “Hippo Roller” is the solution. This is an innovative design by
D2M group (California design group) specifically for these matters. It’s been proven
and currently it is being used all over the world in rural communities.
As for the refuse disposal mechanism, the principal consideration revealed
after the analysis of Mungari conditions was:


Due to a lack of waste system in the area, every time women and
children come to fill their containers on the water supply location, they
dump their home’s waste at that place, without any technical
consideration.

As a response to this behavior and keeping in mind that educating the people
can be definitive to obtain a positive output, a manual/small scale refuse landfill is
proposed made by non-organic waste, where the compaction (which is crucial) will
be made every week as a communitarian gathering where men are making it manually
with Stone-made manual compactors. Compacted clay will be applied after the
compaction process, to offset the environmental impact. The drain system made out
of this landfill will ensure that all the leaking will be direct away from the water
source.

- 42 -

Figure 25. Water Filtration System. Instead of these containers, the filter spots will be underground.
Source: http://www.biochar-international.org/sites/default/files/waterfiltration.JPG

- 43 -

Figure 26. Women carrying water to their houses in rural Africa.
Source: http://d2m-inc.com/portfolio/hippo-roller/

- 44 -

C o m p o s t

a s

a n

A n s w e r

Mungari community has a particular lifestyle due to unique circumstances
such as lack of water, vital source of human living. However, through simple
practices, living standards can be easily raise and something as simple as human and
animal dung can be crucial to make it happen.
With the use of organic waste in the house, collecting animal dung from the
fields, and human dung from the latrine, a compost unit for the village is going to
produce enough fertilizer for the agricultural practice and biogas to power the
kitchen.
Through these mechanisms, over the time the land will recover its original
characteristics, the waste is going to have specific purposes and no waste is going to
be unattended anymore, and at the same time not having inappropriate disposal will
prevent health diseases and with time, new hygiene behaviors will be recognized in
order to eradicate its derivate illnesses.

Preserving the original organizational distribution in the Village, such as circular
floor plan and kitchen separate from the sleeping area is the main premise; as for this
project a sustainable material will be added to the units with the only purpose to
enhance the lightning and circulation of the air.

Paeces indigenous have access to plenty of potable water (Being Silvia
River the principal source of water), 100% coverage, even though the
mechanisms implemented are artisanal and sometimes unreliable.



It is a common practice to build their village close to the streams, so the
water recollection is very handy. Close enough to carry the resource, high
enough from the stream level in case of rain season flood.



Most dwellings usually have a separate shower and toilet room detached
from the main unit. Artisanal sewage drains the residues to the stream without
any previous treatment, with the contamination consequences that come with it,
even in a small scale.



Even the small type of unit (kitchen and room in a single space), has water
supply inside for consumption and cleaning purposes.



Although, each family has their own kitchen, meaning that even a modest
village will have two basic units with two kitchens. They share the other
services related with water supply.



It is also usual to have a small surface attached to the dwelling with water
supply to wash clothes, clean harvest/garden tools, for instance.



Due to Violence reasons, Indigenous families are responsible to build and
bring maintenance to their own grid, which is only refers to water supply.

- 53 -

R e f u s e

D i s p o s a l

S e w a g e

T r e a t m e n t

P o w e r



S y s t e m

M e c h a n i s m s
&

S u p p l y

Local agencies and government do not have access to these territories
without having a small war in between with casualties among others, innocent
people most of the time, these is the reason why Paeces indigenous have to
implement their own practices to self-provide their own grid.



The most common practice among Paeces indigenous is to burn their useless
waste and to bury organic waste.



Nearly 30% rural Silvia population has septic tanks.



Nearly 70% rural Silvia population drains all their residues to the stream.



All systems are artisanal without any technical requirement for safety
disposal.



Paeces indigenous are completely off grid, and burn branches and dry wood
to power their kitchen. This is the only power source they currently have.



This is very unusual since according to the World Bank 93.6% of the
Colombian population has access to electricity.

Silvia’s soil is fertile and the humid characteristics of the land, makes it ideal
for harvesting, which Paeces indigenous have inherited and developed for the past
couple of centuries.



How to grow corn is their pride and all the rituals involved in between are
fundamental for the harvest well-being.



One of the strengths of these lands is how fertile the soil is, and how ideal
for agriculture the territory is.



Men are heads of their households and is their responsibility is to harvest the
land (Corn, potatoes, and yucca primarily). When the season is over, they gather
with men from nearby villages (They called this meeting “Minga”) to clean the
land and prepare it for the next harvesting season. The name of this cleaning
process is “rocería”.



Even inside the same village, each family is responsible for their own
harvesting, and the profits or loses out of it are also independent.



Artisanal practices are the base for harvest process, and the transference of
its knowledge is a family tradition that passes from one generation to the next.

This communal space usually has an extension in the ceiling creating a
“porch” type space, to gather outside to eat or simply share with the
family after the workday.



Separate small space with shower and toilet, usually the toilet space
has a ceiling, whereas the shower only has walls.



Sometimes as a part of the grooming space or next to the kitchen, a
small tank with a surface appears for washing clothes or clean tools or
related pieces.



Depends on the wealth of the group, the basic composition of the village can
differ in size and materials.



The floor bases for all the spaces in the village are rectangular.



Usually the villages are nearby the water source.

- 58 -

S t r u c t u r e



The most common material for the main structure is hard wood, carefully
shaped to build the principal skeleton of the space.



The ceiling framework is also hard wood, with straw ceilings.



Depends on the wealth of the Village family, the coverage options for the
walls can be:


Single rounded wood layer to fill the entire rectangular frame.



Double rounded wood layer to fill completely the rectangular frame.



Double rounded wood layer and clay based paste mixed with animal
dung to cover both sides of the frame (Inside and outside). This
technique called “bahareque” and it is an ancient building model in
Colombia.



In all cases, the floor is manually compacted soil.



The past two decades the construction processes has evolved and is usual to
find villages with the used of contemporary materials such as mason bricks or
concrete pieces for the main structure, although wood continues being the main
source for the structure.



None of the rooms has any technical response to ventilation, besides the fact
that materials are pretty convenient to allow the airflows circulate through the
space. On the other hand, this can be a hassle since the average temperature is
somewhat cold, especially during the night.
- 59 -

ď&#x201A;ˇ

As for the lighting, there is no consideration whatsoever about the matter
and spaces are usually dark. This can be convenient for the sleeping area, but
definitely not for the kitchen.

Figure 37. Coverage options for the walls depends of the wealth of the family
Source: http://www.blookiwi.com/construccion/bahareque/

- 61 -

Figure 38. Paez woman with baby, working in the kitchen
Source: http://osvaldo1.galeon.com/imagenes/social.JPG

- 62 -

P o t e n t i a l

P a r t n e r s h i p s

“Centro Experimental Las Gaviotas” (http://www.centrolasgaviotas.org), is a
Colombian laboratory for sustainable techniques among other projects, which
creates/develops innovative local solutions in response primarily to modern
necessities for remote locations.

Figure 39. “Balancin” is a double seesaw where children will pump water to a tank while playing
Source: http://www.centrolasgaviotas.org/Fotos.html#44

Figure 40. “Balancin” with a children pool
Source: http://www.centrolasgaviotas.org/Fotos.html#49

- 63 -

C H A P T E R
S I L V I A

P o w e r

S I X

S U S T A I N A B L E

S u p p l y

&

R e f u s e

S Y S T E M S

T r e a t m e n t

Supply water is the biggest strength among Paeces community. Although the
mechanisms they are currently implementing to bring it to their dwellings and the
processes through which they are disposing their residues, are suitable to major
changes in order to make them sustainable.
After exploring the Paeces community lifestyle, what is left is the fact that
they are willing to work together in order to keep their lands and to make them as
sustainable as their possibilities are.
Is not about changing their living behaviors, but bring them some tools and
technical practices to develop a new sustainable and environmentally friendly model
they can keep from now on.
After analyzing their physical conditions, some specific considerations were
crucial:
ď&#x201A;ˇ

Lack of techniques to make sustainable refuse disposal and sewage
treatment.

ď&#x201A;ˇ

Lack of permanent energy power system.

- 64 -

Exploring local and up to date sustainable responses to these needs, Paeces
community new sewage system and refuse unit will consists of:


Stone made septic tank.



Compost some of the organic refuse, in order to produce fertilizers for
their own land.



Filter system construction, to strain sewage water before bringing it
again to the stream.



Usage of the remaining organic refuse (i.e. corn, potatoes, and yucca’s
residues after harvesting), to produce methane that can be storage to be
used anytime for cooking and heating purposes.

Although bringing water to the dwelling has never been a problem, the usage
of the seesaw will give the village a new and fun face, having a distraction for the
kids, while they help to bring the water home. It will be also built a storage tank so
there is no need to be pumping water every time is being used.

Being respectful with the original distribution and floor plan of the dwellings
that Paeces community have had for centuries, a more aesthetic technique to enhance
lighting and preserve the heat inside the unit is being proposed.